| Last updated on July 3, 2008 |
Energy Services, Inc.'s primary mission is to provide limited-income families with the services/assistance necessary to prevent and/or alleviate energy related emergencies from occurring, promoting initiatives that will result in families' long-term self-sufficiency.
The agency's secondary mission is to leverage other resources from private and public sources to offset the gap between growing unmet energy related needs and declining federal funds.
Description:
Energy Services, Inc. administers a variety of integrated programs, providing low-income households with comprehensive case management, energy and conservation services.
Households eligible for the WHEAP program receive a one-time energy assistance grant. Special need cases also receive furnace, emergency and crisis energy assistance grants/services. Once identified for our program, proper cases can also be referred to our case management assistance programs. The agency also addresses the long-term energy needs of high-risk households by providing budget counseling, arranging for deferred payments and referring its clients to low-income weatherization programs and to other agencies that will assist them in meeting other basic needs and promoting efforts for their long-term self-sufficiency.
ESI has a primary focus on the delivery of emergency services that prevent or avert life-threatening situations, particularly during cold weather months, i.e. emergency fuel deliveries, furnace repairs, disconnections, etc. By preventing households from being disconnected or having high-energy bills or arrearages, our programs enable many individuals in need to provide a safe environment for their families.
In response to the growing needs of Dane County's minority population, ESI offers bi-lingual Spanish services and has developed and distributed English and Spanish brochures, posters and inserts throughout its service area, particularly in Dane County. Our organization also has established inter-agency agreements with Hmong and other special needs population.
History:
ESI was founded in 1979, as a delegate Energy Crisis Intervention Program (ECIP) and successor of the Dane County Community Action Commission (CAC). ESI was launched through the efforts of the County Board-Human Services Department and a cross section of community leaders concerned with the escalating numbers of elderly and low income households going without heat and facing re-occurring life threatening emergencies. ESI's purpose is to administer and sponsor energy related and conservation programs related to meeting the short and long-term needs of low income households. In addition, the agency provides the assistance necessary to maximize client WHEAP participation and interface with other programs and services that promote long-term self-sufficiency. Faced with increasing economic support/WHEAP mandates, and ballooning county caseloads, ESI in conjunction with the county human service department and other emergency service providers, pioneered the first State contracted WHEAP.
ESI became an independent non profit organization in 1982 and received its own 501(c)(3) designation in 1984. Based on this successful implementation of a state/county contracted WHEAP, ESI expanded its relationships with other county Departments of Human Services. Dodge County joined in 1987, Columbia in 1990, Rock in 1991, Marathon, Portage, Sauk, Waupaca, and Waukesha in 1992, followed by Jefferson in 1998, Marquette in 2000, Fond du Lac in 2001, and Winnebago and Outagamie counties in 2002. In addition ESI has established other contractual relationships with selected counties. They include federal FEMA, energy and housing assistance programs that augment WHEAP, County W2, and other economic support programs. Also, ESI has contractual relationships for the administration of low-income energy customer services programs i.e. established relationships with the primary utilities serving Dane County. This provides for maximum coordination and benefits to low-income households.
Contact people:
 |
Lynn Hanus, Resource Developer, (608) 283-7661, (email)
Katie Zellars, Program Coordinator, (608) 283-7655, (email) |
Office fax number: 608/264-6913
Address:
|
1225 South Park Street
Madison, WI 53715
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.esiwi.com
Be the first person to offer feedback on this agency!
Post a user reflection to share your experiences with other users!
